2016 APQ UFO Challenge List

Sunday, October 31, 2010

WEEK 44??? Where has this year gone?!?!? Yikes, that means Christmas is just around the corner, then a new year not long after that. I can't believe it is almost November, seems like the last few months have gone even faster than the rest of the year, which really feels like it has flown by.

Not a terribly exciting stash report this week. I realized that I forgot to add a yard that I gave my mom for a project she worked on at the retreat, and I cut fabric to make a couple blocks for a comfort quilt this week.

Fabric added this week: 0Fabric used this week: 1 1/4 yards

Fabric added year to date: 38 7/8 yardsFabric used year to date: 112 7/8 yards

Net fabric used: 74 yards

I am working on two comfort quilts right now for friends and have agreed to supply the back for both. I am hoping to pull and prepare them this week, so next week's report should look good if I get to them.

Monday, October 25, 2010

This will probably be one of the latest Design Wall Monday posts to hit Judy's blog, but I thought it would be a good opportunity to show the projects I worked on at retreat this weekend. I filled my bag with more than I could possibly finish in one weekend to keep me busy and give me several options. I worked on all but 1 project.

Here's what I finished - from left to right - Cherish Nature panel with borders for our newly remodeled bathroom, table runner for a Christmas present, fabric reversible bag for teacher gifts.

I also got tissue box covers made which will go to our daycare teachers. Almost all of them are done and ready to be filled with a box, but a few will need ribbon for the finishing touch. For some reason, I can't load the photo of them or the next quilt, so you'll have to wait for the picture.

Friday night, mom and I worked on a Convergence Quilt together (same pattern using our own fabrics). Mom and Lois had always planned to make these together, but Lois was gone before they could, and amazingly, I found the fabric she'd set aside to make it. As soon as I found it, I told Mom that we'd make them at retreat. It was really fun to work on the same project together and I like how they both turned out. My mom is looking for a little more of the brown fabric to finish out her quilt (Spice Tea for Wilmington is the fabric line), so if you have any of it that you'd be willing to part with, please let me know. She will purchase or trade. (This sure would be a better plea if Google would let me upload the photo...but if you have any of the brown from this collection, let's talk :)

And, then I turned my attention to a couple of Lois' UFOs and made backs for them (but didn't take any pictures).

The most tedious of the projects I took was the snowball challenge quilt that I signed up to participate in last fall on Nicole's blog. I was excited at the beginning and loved trading fabrics across the country, but quickly lost steam. This weekend, I got more cutting done on this project, started piecing the 280 squares that get cut into half square triangles, and actually got a few blocks put together! I know this won't occupy much if any of my time again for a while, but it was nice to pull it out and make a little progress on it.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

The report is really late today because I just got home a few hours ago from a wonderful retreat in Shipshewana with Judy, Bonnie, Ruthie, Jill, Becca, and my mom (among other great ladies!). We had a great weekend of sewing and shopping. The stash report was looking good before I left as I prepped the last few things that I wanted to work on at retreat. It even looked good after our first stop at Lolly's. Then all hell broke loose when Judy threw a FQ in my bag so she wouldn't have to report it! After that, I decided to start shopping since I'd have to report something anyway! I didn't buy as much as some people....but did add some fabric to make teacher gifts for the holidays and a wonderful jelly roll and border coordinates for an Oriental quilt in blues, greens, and browns.

Fabric added this week: 5 3/4 yardsFabric used this week: 5 1/8 yards

Fabric added year to date: 38 7/8 yardsFabric used year to date: 111 5/8 yards

Net fabric used: 72 3/4 yards

Still feeling pretty good about my current totals...and really loving the new kit I bought! I didn't take a picture of what I bought, so instead I will share a few pics from the retreat.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Finally back to the posts about Germany (but I can't promise it will conclude quickly!). The second stop on our vacation was the city of Fussen in southern Germany, just north of the Austrian border. We took a nice train ride across the country and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the scenery as we traveled. I was amazed at the number of school children who ride the train to and from school, many over 30 mins, and then they get on a bike or walk to get home. Despite not understanding their chit chat, it was entertaining to watch -- the girls changing seats, the dorky teenage boys trying to talk with the girls, and the kids who just plug in their iPods and ignore it all!

We arrived in Fussen and had mapped the course to our hotel, which was quite a short walk. We quickly discovered that we were in the wrong place, even if on the right street. We were pointed to the TI (Tourist Info) and found out that our hotel was actually in the neighboring town of Schwangau! One more bus ride and a stop in the Schwangau TI, and we started our hike...2 kilometers to the hotel with no bus or taxi in sight. We arrived at the Hotel Maximillian and settled in for the night (because, really, it was 2 km to get back into town and we weren't doing that again!). The reception there was lovely and the food was absolutely fantastic. We had a half board package, which included breakfast and dinner. I think we were the only Americans (and Mike said the only couple under 50) who were at dinner!

The next morning, well rested and well fed, we hiked toward the mountains and went to the Tegelbergbahn, a tram up the side of the mountains. The scenery at the top was wonderful and we enjoyed an hour or so of hiking around before heading back to the base and taking a spin on the luge course (not using a real luge mind you, but a metal track).

We headed back into town and then caught a bus up to the castles, which is what everyone comes to the town for (well, all the Americans at least). We arrived late afternoon to discover that the more famous castle was sold out for the day. We did get to go through Hohenschwangau and really enjoyed it.

On day 2, we decided to explore Fussen and wound up at a beautiful monastery which was having an exhibit on the connections between Bavaria and Italy. It was a really neat exhibit and I was so taken with the lutes because of the intricate woodwork in them. I could see quilt designs in the wood.

After the exhibit and a quick bite for lunch, we again went up the mountains to see the castle that we'd missed, this time in the rain. We arrived at the ticket booth to discover it sold out again! Mike decided to hike the 45 mins uphill to get some pictures of it and I decided to go back to the hotel to relax/read/sleep for the afternoon. We both were happy with our choices :D

The next morning brought the end of our time in Fussen and we boarded the train - last stop Munich! Blog post coming soon....but you already know not to hold your breath for that!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

I have a lot of catching up to do on the blog, but it seems the only time I can find the energy is once a week to post my stash report! I promise I will find some type of energy this week to post the second chapter from our Germany trip.

This week was incredibly busy at work. I didn't make it into my sewing room until Thursday night after the guild meeting, and only then because I was taking the class on Friday & Saturday so I had to get my stuff ready!

Our guild speaker this month was Esterita Austin. She is an art quilter and I really enjoyed her lecture (forgot my camera, so you'll have to visit her website to see her work) and her workshop. It pushed me artistically and really got me thinking about things I can do. In the workshop, we were building a stone portal, using fabric to create the illusion of depth. I've done this once before, but with a very controlled pattern (cubes). At the end of the second day, we even painted on fabric! That was fun and I think I will buy some paints to try that a little more. If you're looking to dabble a little into art quilts, I highly recommend a class with Esterita!

Here's my pile of fabrics and the pattern at the very beginning of class.

Then, at the end of day 1, you can start to see the image emerge.

Now, at the end of day 2, with all the pieces (except a few detail items I might add) and a little painting.

So, here's the effect on the stash this week, which includes my fabric for the class (only what I used) and a couple pet beds/scrap bags.

Fabric added this week: 1/4 yard (for the background around the top of the portal)Fabric used this week: 5 1/4 yards

Fabric added year to date: 33 1/8 yardsFabric used year to date: 106 1/2 yards (boy it feels good to be over 100 yards used!)

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Thanks so much for all the comments last weekend on my stash report and 250th post giveaway. I look forward to another one in another 100 or so posts. Winners are listed below the stash report.

This was a good week for the stash since I started cutting kits for my retreat. I was able to get two things kitted and ready to go and cut pieces for the items that will be holiday gifts for our daycare teachers this year (can you believe I am starting this in October instead of the week before? I am so proud of myself!).

After all that cutting, I had to start sewing something! I just can't cut that much without sewing. So I pulled out a pattern that I bought last week that called for 30 3 1/2" squares. Remember the fabric I used to make a quilt for my friend Sara? I used it again to make her a clock, then still had a baggie with several pieces of it. I thought I could get the squares out of this fabric, but started to cut and realized I didn't really have much left -- I got only 9 squares instead! I decided to go ahead and the small quilt will now be a mini quilt! This is how it looks now, but I need to cut it up on the seam lines now and then sew it back together. Hopefully, I'll have a chance to do that this week and can show you the result next week. Here's what it looks like now.

Ok, now onto the fun stuff. I had 17 comments on my post last week and most of you liked the fabric pack from Great American the best. I put all the names into the List Randomizer on random.org, and Mr. Random chose Heather and Gina - congrats ladies and I will have your winnings in the mail sometime soon (no promises how soon, but I will really try for this week).

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Two weeks ago today, Mike and I arrived after a night of flights in Frankfurt, Germany on a trip to celebrate 10 years of marriage (we deserved a good trip after 10 years!). We boarded a train and headed straight for our first destination - Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

We easily found our hotel, checked in, and then headed out to explore the town. I kid you not, this was the first shop window I looked in!

It is surrounded by a stone wall and you can walk along the wall almost the whole way. We explored the wall a bit the first night and then walked along it several times the next day. To say the town is charming is an understatement! The houses are beautiful and the people so friendly.

We were so lucky to stay at a great B&B in Rothenburg and the proprietor is a pastry chef! The breakfast pastries were like taking a little bite of heaven! I certainly helped myself to good food in this town!

We spent our first day there wandering - walking the wall, ducking in and out of gift shops, and taking lots of pictures - and finished the evening with a lovely outdoor dinner of good German food. The restaurant was out of the main square in town and we had the whole outdoor area to ourselves. It was great to watch all the goings-on while we ate!

The next morning, we decided to spend at least a little time at a museum and Mike picked the Crime and Punishment museum. I wasn't too excited about it when we first got there, but it grew on me. It was fascinating to see some of the old items and read about the history of punishment. My favorite item was the double neck violin (see photo of one here). When two people couldn't get along, they would put lock their necks and wrists in either side of this and leave them in the town square until they could resolve their argument! After the museum, we were beat and went back to nap for a while. A good lunch and lots of browsing/shopping followed. That evening, we took the Nightwatchman's Tour, which was a very entertaining walk around the town to learn more of its history. Here's the watchman himself.

If you ever get to Rothenburg, don't miss this fun way to learn a little about the city!

The next morning, we only had two hours in town before we had to head out for our train, so we headed to the town center and climbed the stairs and ladder (!) to the top of the town hall. We were rewarded with a fantastic view of the city!

This stop wound up being my favorite place on the trip and I understand that they have a wonderful Christmas market each year. If my travels take me back to Germany, I will make sure to save a couple days for Rothenburg (and a couple hundred calories for those pastries)!

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Earlier this year, my mom and I took a little day trip to a quilt show and some shops in Nashville, IN (a really cute town if you're ever in the area). One of the shops we stopped at is a sock shop and they have just about every kind of sock you could ever want. In front of the shop, they had a bin with one dollar socks and I saw a pair that looked warm and cozy, so threw them into the basket with the kitty cat socks for Jenna. I pulled them out today and put them on....and now I know why they were a dollar!

The good news is that, even though they have really puffy toes, they are warm and cozy!

Hang in there my stashbusting and blog following friends...I have lots to post about today so this will be a long one!

I'll do the stash report first in case that is the only reason you're visiting (but really, who just visits for that?). Added a little fabric to the stash this week because I visited a couple quilt shops with my mom yesterday, and we also went to the cross stitch store on Friday, which is always fun! I don't count cross stitch linen in my stash report (acquired or used).

I have had jet lag since returning from Germany on Wednesday night, so the early mornings have been filled in my sewing room. I got two pillowcases made and started on the backing for one of Lois' quilts. I made a rule at the beginning of the year that I wouldn't count anything in my stash usage that was for her UFOs and this week I am kicking myself because I pulled 6 yards to make this back! Oh, well....she would be so happy to see this quilt being finished...will post more on that another day.

I also picked up this cutie patootie tape measure in a tin - love that it is 120" and will fit easily into my notions bag that Jill made me ages ago. Jill, I love that little bag and use it all the time!

Fabric added this week: 1 yardFabric used this week: 2 yards

Fabric added year to date: 32 7/8 yardsFabric used year to date: 98 yards (looky, looky, I am getting really close to a big round number! Woot!)

Net fabric used: 65 1/8 yards

Now on to the other fun stuff. I got a pattern in the mail from Regina yesterday - she had a giveaway on her blog for the new Lazy Girl Purse Pattern Lily. I have already picked out the fabrics I want to make it with, now just have to narrow them down to a few that will be smashing. If you have any thoughts on which ones will be smashing, please let me know :)

Ok, now on to the real fun - this is my 250th post and I now have 50 followers! Thanks to all of you from the first to the 50th who read my musings and comment from time to time. In celebration of getting to this point, I am going to have a giveaway - this is a simple one - just leave me a comment below and let me know which of the three prizes you'd like. I will pull two winners - the first place person will get their first two choices and second place will get the other one! You don't have to be a follower to win, but I will be happier if you are ;) I do however, need to have your email address, so if you're a "no reply" commenter, please include your email addy in your comment.

First up - a bundle of FQs from the Great American Quilt Factory - if you've never visited this shop in Denver, CO, it must be added to your list immediately. It is the home of Possibilities books and their shop has just as much personality as their books. There are 7 or 8 FQs in this bundle, mostly florals (and in full disclosure, this and the other fabric came from Lois' stash so I have no idea what the lines are/how old they are but they are quilt shop quality).

Second - another bundle from Sweet Treats - if you've ever been to a quilt show where they have a booth, you know it is great eye candy. They have an amazing talent at picking a set of fabrics to go together and have patterns for sale so that you can use the whole bundle in a lap sized quilt. This pack actually has 6 FQs even though the label says 8 - Lois must have removed a few for something she was working on!

Third - this is for my scrappy friends - a box full of selvages. I have been collecting since early this year and have filled this small box (it came with thread in it originally). Although I like the look of selvage things, I don't have that much interest to actually make them myself (the list is too long with other things right now!)

So, let me know which you'd like to win - first and second choices - and thanks again for reading, commenting, and supporting me in this blogging world!

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Whew! After 10 days in Germany, we are back home and settling back into the routine. The return to a time zone 6 hours earlier has meant very early mornings for me, which I have enjoyed in my sewing room :)

Our trip was great and I will start a series of posts to share all about it. We stayed in three different cities and loved experiencing the German culture, even if through the eyes of a tourist! It was a relaxing trip and good to be away to have some time together. My parents kept Jack and Jenna and they had a great time together (except when my dad tilted them backwards in the double stroller...but we're not talking about that one!).

Before I get into the Germany reports, I wanted to wrap up the month of September from a sewing perspective. I had a good month, especially considering that I was gone for 1/3 of it! I had a total of 16 hours in my sewing room and finished the following projects: - Pieced 2 Market Bags- Made 2 blocks for a friendship/comfort quilt- Cut out, fused, and put borders on my Halloween wallhanging- Cut 12 bag kits for our Christmas Bee project- Made 1 pillowcase for the Million pillowcase challenge

In October, I should have a ton of sewing time because I am taking a workshop with Esterita Austin for 2 days and I am going to a retreat! Looking forward to the full three days of sewing :) I am hoping to get a couple quilt backings made and start some new projects as well as work on a couple UFOs and some Christmas presents....yikes - I better start my list and start getting things together for retreat!

About Me

I am a mom and quilter, cross-stitcher, and beginning crocheter. I am lucky to have 4 machines and 2 kids and an almost endless supply of fabric! I piece and sometimes quilt on my Janome 6600P and Janome Jem Platinum. I have a Singer Featherweight (late 1930's) that was my Grandmother's machine, but I don't use it much. I enjoy freehand and panto quilting on my HQ Avante 18.